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By my count, the Vancouver Canucks have 43 contracts currently on the books. I suspect they will sign Eddie Lack and Alex Mallet to a deals at some point, so I think we can assume that there will be around five more signings to round out the system in the next few months.


Kristian Huselius
Huselius is one of the most skilled players left unsigned. I had him on my radar on day one and think he would be an interesting option to play with Kesler and Booth. He's shown the ability to put up points in the past and will likely sign for around the 2 million dollar mark because of his recent injury history. My guess is he's waiting for the Semin and Doan signings to go down and hoping to cash in when he is the best player left. It wouldn't shock me at all if Vancouver misses out on Doan, Gillis picks up Huselius on a one or two year deal.

Shane Doan
Vancouver's number one choice, my guess is that he is what is holding up the activity in Vancouver. The rumour is if Gillis can get Doan, he will trade Lu for prospects, if he can't then he will want a top 6 player. Doan's leadership and physical play would be welcomed in Vancouver. I would put Vancouver at around 20% to land the big star. I would be shocked to see any signings by the Canucks until they know they are out in the Doan sweepstakes.

Andrei Kostitsyn
My guess is Kostitsyn is looking to get paid what he was paid last year, and that type of money just isn't there for him. There are rumours he is a distraction in the locker room, so I suspect you will see a one year deal from someone on a trial type basis. Kostitsyn is still one of the most skilled players out there and could be a steal if some lands him for under two million. My gut says Detroit gets him and he has a career year.

Carlo Colaiacovo
One of the players that is out there that I'm shocked hasn't found a home. Colaiacovo is a steady, reliable D, who can run a power-play. He fit in nicely on a Blues team that was tops in the league defensively and other than his injury history, I don't see a downside to signing him. The Wings are a team that need D and have faced Colaiacovo a lot over the past few seasons. My guess is he finds his way there.

Jason Arnott
The big centre would be an excellent fit as the third line centre in Vancouver. Arnott is big, very good defensively, and can still produce offensively. He's a player much in the same mould as Doan, who brings a lot of intangible s with him. My guess is once Doan is signed, he gets snapped up quick by a team that misses out on Doan.

Jamie Arniel
With Scott Arniel being named the new coach of the Wolves, why not sign his nephew to suit up for him next season. Arniel is a versatile player, who can play all three forward positions. He's shown he can produce in Jr. and the AHL and may be close to cracking the NHL. Arniel has strong leadership qualities, to go with his skill, speed, and two-way play. He's a good character guy, who I think could push for a spot in Vancouver next year. If he doesn't make it he would be a nice player to have in Chicago on a call up basis.

Ryan O'Marra
O'Marra is a gritty, hard-nosed centre, who could push for a bottom 6 role in Vancouver. At 6"2, 220, he has the size that Vancouver needs. He's shown in the past that he can score a bit and that he is defensively responsible. He is good on the fore-check and excellent alond the wall. Gillis says he wants to get bigger and younger, O'Marra would do that for the Canucks. Worst case, O'Marra ends up in Chicago and is a solid player for the Wolves.

Mike Duco
One of my favourite players when he was called up last year, I guarantee if Duco was a bit taller he would have been signed by now. He plays the game the way it was meant to be played; all out, every shift. I really want to see some team give Duco an opportunity. Once he gets that chance to be an NHL regular, I see him becoming a fan favourite and not being let go for a long time. I'd sign him in a second to a deal and have him on the fourth line.

Simon Danis-Pepin
While Danis-Pepin hasn't found his place in the AHL yet, the fact he is a 6"7, 230 pound, right-handed D intrigues me to give him a shot. He's only 24 and the skill set he would bring is missing from the Canucks system. His skating needs some work, but he is a very smart player. I think he has some upside to become a Hal Gill type shutdown guy. I'd sign him to a 2-way deal and give him a full year to develop in Chicago.

That's a wrap for today. Remember Offer Friday is tomorrow so get those offers in.

Ian


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